I would like to tour Spain, Portugal, and Morocco this summer, but I’m not sure of the best way to do it. There are innumerable tour companies offering packages, but many of them don’t hit all the best spots (e.g., Barcelona, Toledo, and other places listed in 1000 places to see before you die). I’d like to hear from someone who has created their own tour. Was it successful? How pricey was it? Do you wish you had done an organized tour? Thanks.

How much time are you setting aside for this little adventure?

If you take a look at a map of Iberia, you'll find that Spain is quite large, so you'll have to try to focus on what you want to see and do, otherwise you’ll waste a lot of time traveling from place to place.

Portugal isn't quite so difficult when it comes to planning, but it is still a long way from north to south.

And just where in Morocco are you planning on visiting during the heat of the summer?

I suggest you concentrate on what you are really interested in and go from there. There are a number of good tour companies with less involved itinerates.

Spending 2, 3 or 4 days in one location will give you a better feel for place and you will get much more out of the experience. Hopefully you can always make another trip in the near future.

Firstly the trains in SPain and Portugal are very good and cheap so no need to take a car for the majority. SO can do Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Seville, Cordoba, Grenada by train. Note that summer is a big slot. Can be very hot with limited air con (unless paying 3 star plus).

You need someone else to advise on crossing the straits but I would fly to Marakesh. A number of cheaper flights exsit try skyscanner.net.

NOw what do you want to see, wine, museums, art, people.

No idea about a tour have not used one for years so again you need someone else to advise

Yes, I realize I'm a little ambitious. I'd love to see it all in about three weeks--unrealistic, I know. Most of the tour companies hit the big places (e.g., Seville, Granada, Madrid, Lisbon) but none of them has Barcelona (it’s out of the way), and many don’t hit Toledo. I’m not too concerned about Morocco’s heat—I just want to see it. I would probably stick to the touristy places (i.e., Fez, Marrakesh, and Casablanca).

I was just curious to know if it would be cheaper to fly into Spain, take trains to all the cities (so I get to see what I really want), fly to Morocco, and, in the end, do it cheaper than a $3,000 tour. It sounds like trains are a great way to get around the country.

Thanks for the replies. It’s wonderful to hear from more experienced travelers, and I appreciate your advice. Send any more tips my way!

Hi, WisconsinTraveler -
IMHO, it should be easy to plan your own journey. I've never taken an organized tour, and have no regrets about that. But trying to see Spain, Portugal, and Morocco in 3 weeks doesn't sound realistic to me. I wouldn't even try to see "Spain" in that time frame - there is WAY to much to see and do there! Of course it depends on what you want to see and do, so you might find it useful to do some research and think through your priorities a bit. Hope that helps!

Consider browsing http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34954915 for some general ideas and a framework for an itinerary. Three weeks in three countries is simply too much because you can barely see parts of Spain in that amount of time. But hey, if that's your way, that's your way!

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. I booked the Spain, Portugal, and Morocco tour. Once the tour ends (in Madrid) we will tour Spain for several days to see many more sights. At least we'll get a better flavor of Spain.

whatever you do, keep in mind the
temp. will be 100 degrees in most place with ( often) poor or no air-con.

Danon, what a non-sequitur! And what exactly are you basing this advice on?